The Raptors enter the playoffs under as much pressure as any team, certainly in the East.

Not only are they looking at a history of postseason flops, including the sweep at the hands of the Cavaliers in last year's conference semifinals (which pushed the team to make Nick Nurse coach and let Dwane Casey go), there was, too, the blockbuster deal for Kawhi Leonard, who will be a free agent this summer. His interest in staying with the Raptors could be influenced by how far the team goes in the playoffs.

They're going against the worst kind of foe - a Magic team that has nothing to lose, that was not supposed to be a playoff team entering the season and was left for dead at 20-31 before rallying to finish 22-9.

The key player

Few players gave Toronto fits quite like Orlando All-Star Nikola Vucevic, who averaged 20.0 points, 15.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists (55.0 percent shooting and 45.5 percent from the 3-point line) in the four regular-season games that the teams split this year.

He plays a perimeter game as a shooter and passer, which spells trouble for the Raptors' elder big men, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, and will likely force Nurse to use Pascal Siakam, who is a bit undersized for the matchup, on him.

The big number

18.0. Leonard had an outstanding comeback season in Toronto (26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 49.6 percent shooting), but did not fare well when facing Orlando, averaging only 18.0 points per game and struggling against versatile Magic forward Aaron Gordon.

According to NBA.com stats, Gordon guarded Leonard on 43 possessions in three games this season and allowed him only 40.0 percent shooting. The Raptors need more production out of their offensive anchor.

Raptors vs. Magic prediction

This won't be a cakewalk for the Raptors. The Magic closed the season strong. They defend well, and they can create matchup problems for Toronto. But they lack the experience or depth to pull off the upset.